Ticket punching device



May 7, 1968 A. G. BODOH TICKET PUNCHING DEVICE Filed Feb. 23, 1966 \IWI hll United States Patent 3,381,561 TICKET PUNCHING DEVICE Albinus G. Bodoh, Prospect Heights, 11]., assignor to The Seeburg Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 23, 1966, Ser. No. 529,346 6 Claims. (Cl. 83-216) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device adapted for use in association with a scan award system such as that shown in United States Patent No. 3,263,788, issued Aug. 2, 1966, enables substantially any product or service to be offered at a bargain price. The device indicates, in response to an ordinary purchase, one of a series of award selections that is available to the customer for bargain purchase via a punching operation performed on a dispensable ticket. Punching means are provided and means are provided in order to rotate the punching means through a series of angular positions. Means for actuating the punching means are employed, with the actuating means being adapted to actuate the punching means only when said means is disposed in a predetermined one of the angular positions. Means are provided for supporting a punchable ticket member adjacent the punching means, and indicia corresponding to the respective angular positions are provided on the ticket itself. Means for serially advancing the punchable ticket are likewise disclosed.

This invention relates to an automatic ticket punching device and more particularly to a device adapted to punch dispensible tickets at a predetermined one of a plurality of angular positions. I

It is well known that automated vending installations have become a significant factor in the retail merchandising of products (e.g., candy bars) and of services (e.g., the playing of recorded music). However, one important disadvantage to such installations has been their relative inflexibility for utilizing improved merchandising techniques based upon award and bargain concepts. To an extent, bargain merchandising has been used in the vending business (as, for example, by offering a single selection record play for ten cents and three single selection record plays for twenty-five cents in coin-operated automatic phonographs), and such use has been highly successful. However, vending merchandisers are constantly striving for additional ways to utilize bargain concepts, and the present invention provides a device adapted for use to that end. i

A co-pending United States patent application, Scan Award System, Ser. No. 381,715, filed July 10, 1964, now United States Patent No. 3,263,788, in the names of Herman G. Jensen and Robert Kapoun, discloses a system suitable for utilization in an automated vending installation and adapted to vend award selections under certain predetermined conditions. The disclosed preferred embodiment of the said co-pending patent application i a coin-operated automatic phonograph in which a customer, after purchasing an ordinary record selection at a regular price, is given the opportunity of purchasing one of a series of album award selections at a bargain price, the said album award selection being predetermined by scan means which normally scan a series of album award selections and which, in response to the ordinary purchase, dwells upon a predetermined (although apparently random) one of the series of album award selections. Such a system has obvious utility in other vending environments (e.g., food and beverage vending units) in addition to the phonograph environment described in detail in the co-pending application. a

3,381,561 Patented May 7, 1968 However, the described scan award system is limited to bargain sale of services or other products normally vendible from the vending installation in which it is incorporated. Thus, an automatic phonograph unit equipped with the scan award arrangement could not vend bargain selections not already vendible from the phonograph. Likewise, a product vendor adapted to vend, for example, beverages by the cup, could not otter bargain priced bottled beverage units (e.g., bargain priced six-packs).

The present invention provides a device, adapted to be used in combination with a scan award arrangement such as that of the co-pendin g United States patent application, which offers bargain award selections, which may comprise substantially any product or service, in response to the purchase of an ordinary product or service from the vending installation. In practice, the device of the present invention is adapted, in response to an ordinary purchase, to indicate (by carrying out a punching operation on a dispensible ticket) one of a series of award selections that is available to the customer for bargain purchase. Specifically, the dispensible ticket has indicated thereon, at a series of equally spaced angular positions, indicia corresponding to a series of available award selections. The rotary punching device of the present invention is adapted, as determined by the particular one of the series of award selections on which the scan means has dwelled, to punch the dispensible ticket adjacent the indicia of the corresponding award in response to the customers deposit of the bargain purchase price. The marked ticket is dispensed to the customer, who may later redeem it for the indicated award merchandise or service. The available award selections need not be the specific product or service available from the vending installation. By way of specific example, a beverage vending installation located in a gasoline service station could oifer as award selections merchandise (e.g., automobile accessories, petroleum products, etc.) and service (e.g., automobile washing, waxing, lubrication, etc.) at bargain prices.

Thus, utilization of the rotary ticket punching device of the present invention in combination with a scan award system of the type described provides even greater merchandising flexibility than is obtainable with the scan award system alone.

In the embodiment illustrated and described herein, the invention takes the form of punching means adapted, when actuated, to carry out a punching operation on a punchable ticket member. Means are provided in order to rotate the punching means through a series of angular positions. Means for actuating the punching means are provided, said actuating means being adapted, according to the preferred embodiment, to actuate the punching means only when said means is disposed in a predetermined one of the angular positions. The invention further comprises means for supporting a punchable ticket member adjacent the punching means, and indicia, corresponding to the angular positions in which the punching means is positionable, are preferably provided on the ticket. In addition, means for advancing the punchable ticket over the anvil means are also preferably provided.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and unique rotary punching device of the character described.

A related object of the present invention is to provide a rotary punching device in which a punching die is incrementally rotated in a stepwise manner to successive angular punching positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a punching device of the character described capable of punching a ticket member, provided with indicia corresponding to the angular punch positions, in a predetermined one of such positions.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will hereinafter appear, and, for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, an exemlary embodiment of the present invention is shown in the appended drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, but showing the punch in its actuated position;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, sectional view taken substantially along line 33 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a ticket advancing mechanism utilized with the present invention; and

FIGURE 5 is a right-side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1.

With reference to the drawing, a rotary punching device is generally illustrated in FIGURE 1. The device 10 includes a shaft 12 which is journaled for rotation in a frame 14 (the other portions of which are broken away so as not to obscure the parts of the device 10). A solenoid punch 16 is mounted at the end of shaft 12 by any suitable means, such as mounting collar 18.

The solenoid punch 16 comprises a coil 20, connected to a source of electrical power (not shown), and an actuator generally indicated by the reference character 22. As best shown in FIGURE 2, actuator 22 comprises an annular disc 24 and a shaft 26. Actuator 22 is movable between a normal position (shown in broken lines in FIGURE 2), wherein disc 24 is positioned adjacent coil 20, and an actuated position (shown in full lines in FIG- URE 2), wherein disc 24 has moved away from coil 20. The solenoid punch 1-6 is arranged so that the movement of the actuator 22 from its FIGURE 2 broken line position to its FIGURE 2 full line position occurs when coil 20 is energized. Suitable means, such as a spring (not shown), are provided in order to restore actuator 22 to the FIGURE 2 broken line position When coil 20 is deenergized.

A projecting die 28 is provided on disc 24 (see FIG- URES 1 and 2). Die 28 is adapted to pierce a punchable ticket disposed in its path when actuator 22 moves to its FIGURE 2 full line position in response to the energization of coil 20. Die 28 is positioned between the center and the periphery of disc 24 such that when shaft 12 and solenoid punch 16 are rotated, die 28 traces a circular path about the center of shaft 12.

Means are provided for positioning and supporting a punchable ticket member such that it may be pierced by punching die 28 when coil 20 is energized. A punching anvil 30 is provided in a position such that disc 24 is disposed adjacent thereto upon energization of coil 20 (see FIGURE 2). An annular groove 32 (see FIGURES 2 and 3) is provided in the punching anvil 30, and groove 32 corresponds to the path of rotation traced by die 28. Thus, when a punchable ticket member T is positioned on anvil 30, the movement of actuator 22 to its FIGURE 2 full line position causes a punching operation to be carried out, die 28 piercing the ticket member and moving into groove 32 in anvil 30.

Means are provided for serially advancing punchable ticket member T over anvil 30. A series of individual tickets T are interconnected by perforations P (see FIG- URES 1 and 3). Thus, after a given ticket T has been punched by the die 28, it may be removed from the remaining series of tickets by manual tearing along perforations P or by a conventional ticket cutting mechanism (not shown). The edges of tickets T are cut away at each end of the perforations P in order to form a plurality of notches N. The notches N are adapted for engagement with pairs of triangular driving teeth 34 provided on a drum 36 (see FIGURES l and 4). Drum 36 is mounted on a drive shaft 38, which is journaled in a pair of projecting ears 40. Ears 40 project upwardly from anvil 30. Rotation of shaft 38 and, hence, drum 36, causes triangular teeth 34 to engage notches N in the tickets T, thereby causing the tickets T to be moved passed anvil 30. As will be obvious to one skilled in the art, the ticket driving mechanism may be provided either above or below anvil 30, depending upon the direction in which it is desired to advance ticket T.

Suitable printed indicia are preferably provided on each of the individual tickets T as shown in FIGURES 1 and 3. The printed indicia include a series of marks provided in annular disposition corresponding to the various punching positions which the solenoid punch 16 assumes, as hereinafter described. Thus, a marking is provided on the ticket T adjacent each point at which ticket T may be punched.

As will hereinafter be described, a source of operative power (such as an electric motor, not shown) is provided in order to cause the shaft 38 to rotate. Control means for activating the source of operative power is also provided in order to cause the series of tickets T to be advanced at predetermined times in relation to the operation of punch 16.

Means generally indicated by the reference character RS and adapted to successively position punch 16 in a series of predetermined annular orientations in a stepwise rnanner are shown in FIGURES 1 and 5. Means of this character are described and claimed in a co-pending United States patent application, Rotary Stepping Device, Ser. No. 381,844, filed July 10, 1964, now abandoned, in the name of Joseph E. Wright, I r. It will, of course, be apparent to one skilled in the art that substantially any other device capable of effecting stepwise incremental rotation of the shaft 12 may be also utilized.

Means RS comprises step follower 50, which is mountted on shaft 12 for rotation therewith by means of a ring 51, and a cam stepper 52. Stepper 52 is retained on a rotatable shaft 54 by means of a ring 56. A conventional electric motor 58 is adapted to cause shaft 54 and cam stepper 52 to rotate by means of a gear drive assembly 60. Motor 58 and assembly 60 are conventional elements and are illustrated schematically for purposes of brevity.

Cam stepper 52 comprises a cylindrical frame 62 which is provided with an integral extending cam flange 64. Cam flange 64 extends generally circumferentially about the frame 62, but is discontinuous and non-planar in part. Cam flange 64 comprises an upper arcuate portion 66 disposed in a first plane and a lower arcuate portion 68 disposed in a plane parallel to the said first plane. An interconnecting inclined web portion 70 interconnects the portions 66 and 68 so that a continuous structure is provided from one end 72 of the upper portion 66 through web portion 70 and to an end 74 of lower flange portion 68, with a space 76 being defined between ends 72, 74 and generally corresponding to the height of web portion 70.

Step follower 50 comprises a disc frame 80 which has a series of perpendicularly extending circumferentially and equally spaced lugs 82 thereupon. A series of spaces 84 are provided between adjacent lugs 82 (so that each space 84 defines a dwell surface situated between a pair of lobe surfaces defined by adjacent lugs 82), and, although any given number of lugs 82 and corresponding spaces 84 can be provided, as required, the illustrated embodiment discloses eighteen such lugs 82 and spaces 84 in order to provide eighteen steps of incremental rotation (of 20 each) for each cycle of revolution of cam stepper 52, as hereinafter described. As previously noted, step follower 50 is mounted for rotation on shaft 12.

Preferably, flange 64 completes substantially a 360 are (as best seen in FIGURE 1) as end 72 of flange portion 66 and end 74 of flange portion 68 approach each other to define the space 76. Cam stepper 52 and step follower 50 are disposed in prependicular relationship to each other, that is, cam stepper 52 is adapted to rotate in a first given plane of rotation, and step follower 50 is adapted to rotate in a plane of rotation that is perpendicular to the said given first plane, and cam flange 64 is adapted to mesh in a given space 84 between a pair of adjacent lugs 82 on step follower 50. With this spacial difference, rotation of cam stepper 52 (in the direction of the arrow A shown in the drawing) will cause a stepwise incremental rotational movement of step follower 50 (in the direction of arrow B shown in the drawing) in the following manner.

Initial rotation of cam stepper 52 in the direction of arrow A does not immediately cause any rotation of step follower 50 and indeed positively locks step follower 50 in its initial position. However, as rotation in the said direction continues, end 72 of upper flange 66 approaches and passes through the space 84 between lugs 82' and 82" (see FIGURE 1), and substantially simultaneously end 74 of flange portion 68 (which follows end 72 in the indicated direction of rotation) approaches and passes through the space 84 between lug 82" and the next-below lug 82" (see FIGURE 5). However, step follower 50 will still be locked in position against rotation during this transition, since lower flange portion 68 achieves a positive locking function corresponding to that described for the upper flange portion 66.

As rotation continues, eventually inclined web portion 70 approaches the space 84 between lugs 82" and 82" and urges step follower 50 to rotate by 20 in the direction of arrow B, with lug 82" facing the upper surface and lug 82" facing the lower surface respectively of inclined web portion 70. As web portion 70 passes through and beyond the space 84 between lugs 82" and 82" (so as to complete 360 of rotation for cam stepper 52), it will be apparent that upper flange portion 66 then passes through and beyond the said space so as again to positively lock step follower 50 in position until such time as lower flange portion 68 is meshed in the next-below space 84.

It should be apparent that the described operation can be continued indefinitely with continuous rotation of cam stepper 52 being translated into stepwise incremental rotational movement of step follower 50 (i.e., each 360 of rotation for cam stepper 52 being translated into 20 of rotation for step follower 50) and with step follower 50 being positively locked in position (either by upper flange portion 66 or by lower flange portion 68, as the case may be), except for the relatively short duration of the cycle when the inclined web portion 70 passes through a space 84 between any two adjacent lugs 82 provided on the step follower 50. In view of the relatively short effective arcuate length of web portion 70 (as compared to 360), it is apparent that step follower 50 will dwell (i.e., will be retained) in a given position for a relatively long time (as compared to the time required for the actual rotational step movement of 20 between dwells).

Thus, operation of the rotary stepping device in the foregoing manner causes solenoid punch 16 which is mounted on shaft 12 to undergo stepwise incremental 20 movements. Thus, punch die 28 also successively moves through 20 increments in moving between eighteen equally spaced positions along its angular path of movement. Since the dwell time is relatively long and the actual movement time is relatively short, solenoid punch 16 remains in a given one of its angular positions for a relatively long time and then moves relatively quickly to its next successive angular position.

Means, such as the scanning arrangement disclosed and claimed in the previously discussed co-pending United States patent application Scan Award System, may be utilized in cooperation with the apparatus of the present invention in order to de-energize motor 58, and, hence, to stop the rotation of cam stepper 52. When stepper 52 stops, step follower 50 (and hence solenoid punch 16) are disposed in a predetermined (although apparently a random) one of eighteen different angular positions.

At the same time motor 58 is de-enengized, conventional elecrtical control means (not shown) causes electrical power to be supplied to the coil 20 in order to effect the energization thereof. As a result, actuator 22 moves to its FIGURE 2 full line position, thereby causing die 28 to pierce the ticket T at a point corresponding to the predetermined position in which punch 16 has stopped. Preferably, the electrical control means do not supply electrical energy to the coil 20 until a customer deposits coins in the amount of the bargain purchase price. Thus, for example, the rotary stepping device may be utilized to position the die 28 in a given one of its angular orientations in response to an ordinary purchase. Electrical energy is supplied to coil 20 after the customer has elected to purchase the award selection by depositing coins in the amount of the bargain price.

Means are also provided for energizing the source of operative power for shaft 38 after actuator 22 has returned to its FIGURE 2 broken line position (i.e., after the punching operation has been carried out). Thus, the ticket T is advanced to a position wherein the punched ticket is separated, either by a conventional cutting mechanism (not shown) or by manual separation by the customer.

The rotary punching device of the present invention thus provides a novel mechanism by which a predetermined (though apparently random) one of a sequence of bargain priced award selections may be permanently recorded on a ticket which is dispensed to a customer. When so utilized, the present invention provides a flexible and useful means for employing award and bargain concepts of merchandising in vending installations.

It should be understood that, in addition to the rotary stepping device described herein, substantially any other arrangement for rotating the solenoid punch 16 of the present invention in stepwise increments may be utilized. Furthermore, substantially any means of controlling the rotation of the rotary stepping device may be utilized in order to position the solenoid punch 16 in a predetermined one of its angular positions.

It should also be understood that various other changes, modifications, and alterations can be effected in the details of operation and assembly for the various components illustrated and described herein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the instant invention, as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A rotary punching device adapted to punch a punchable ticket in one of a series of angular positions comprising:

means for supporting the punchable ticket member;

punching means selectively positionable in a series of angular positions, actuation of the punching means being adapted to carry out a punching operation on the ticketmember;

positioning means adapted to cause the punching means to move in a stepwise manner through its series of angular positions,

the said positioning means comprising:

a first rotatable member operatively connected to the punching means whereby rotation of the first member causes the punching means to rotate;

a second rotatable member;

cam follower means on the first member;

cam means on the second member adapted to cooperate with the cam follower means for' rotating the first member stepwise in increments of rotational movement; and

means for rotating the second member, rotation thereof being translated into stepwise incremental rotation of the first member and the punching means; and means for actuating the punching means.

2. A rotary punching device adapted to punch a punchable ticket in one of a series of angular positions comprismeans for supporting and advancing a series of punchable ticket members;

a punching member positionable in a series of equally spaced angular positions, actuation of the punching means being adapted to carry out a punching operation on the ticket member in an angular position corresponding to the position of the punching means at the time of actuation;

positioning means adapted to cause the punching means to move in a stepwise manner through its series of angular positions,

the said positioning means comprising:

a first rotatable member operatively connected to the punching means whereby rotation of the first member causes the punching means to rotate;

a second rotatable member;

cam follower means on the first member;

cam means on the second member adapted to cooperate with the cam follower means for rotating the first member stepwise in increments of rotational movement; and

means for rotating the second member, rotation thereof being translated into stepwise incremental rotation of the first member and the punching means; and

actuating means for actuating the punching means, said actuating means being operable only when the punching means is disposed in one of its angular positions.

3. A rotary punching device adapted to punch a punchable ticket in one of a series of angular positions comprising:

a frame;

means for supporting and serially advancing a series of punchable tickets;

the said tickets having indicia imprinted thereon corresponding to a series of angular positions;

a shaft journaled for rotation in the frame;

a solenoid mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith, and including an actuator, energization of the solenoid being adapted to move the actuator to a punching position and deenergization of the solenoid being adapted to move the actuator to a rest position;

a punching die on the actuator, the said die being adapted to pierce one of the series of tickets in a position corresponding to one of the indicia thereon, rotation of the solenoid and actuator being adapted to move the die through a series of angular positions; and

positioning means for rotating the shaft stepwise through a series of angular positions.

4. A rotary punching device, as claimed in claim 3,

wherein the positioning means comprises:

a first member mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith;

a second rotatable member having a plane of rotation perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the first member;

cam follower means on the first member comprising a series of circumferentially and equally spaced dwell surfaces each situated between a pair of lobe surfaces;

cam means on the second member comprising a cam flange adapted to mesh in a given dwell surface member and having a first planar portion in a first plane parallel to the plane of rotation of the second member, a second planar portion in a second plane parallel to the first plane, and a web portion interconnecting the first and second portions; and

means for rotating the second member, rotation thereof being translated into stepwise incremental rotation of the first member and the shaft.

5. A rotary punching device, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means for supporting and advancing a ticket is operated to serially advance the tickets one ticketlength after the punching of a given ticket whereby said given ticket is dispensable.

6. A rotary punching device, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means for rotating the second member includes a normally energized electric motor, and further comprising means for de-energizing said motor when the punching die is disposed in a predetermined one of its angular positions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 682,626 9/1901 Lockwood 83561 X 2,363,208 11/1944 Sulzer 83213 X 3,129,622 4/1964 Pearce 83-216 X FOREIGN PATENTS 277,164 7/ 1914 Germany.

JAMES M. MEISTER, Primary Examiner. 

